A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. That adage is particularly relevant when talking about bicycle friendly routes. Too often, pleasant roads and trails become harrowing when they reach a major intersection. One of the first people to submit a “Make Biking Better” report highlighted a typical crossing challenge:
There is no “push button” on Mack Road at IL-59 so that cyclists can cause the traffic light to turn red on IL-59. Mack Road is “the bike route” on both sides of IL-59, but unless there are cars to trip the signal, it is next to impossible to cross IL-59.
On-road bicyclists’ inability to trigger a green light at demand-actuated stoplights is an issue that comes up in almost every town we work with. Even where there are pedestrian push-buttons on the traffic signal poles, these are typically inaccessible or inconvenient for a cyclist to use.
When Ride Illinois reached out to IDOT about Mack Road, we were surprised and delighted to learn that they had already installed bicycle detection at that location in response to a prior complaint. However, there was no signage showing that a bicycle can be positioned to trigger a green light; it’s possible that the only person who knew about the improvement was the person who initiated it! We asked IDOT to install the nationally-accepted pavement markings and signage pictured above. They deferred this to the City of Warrenville, who maintains Mack Road there. We explained the situation to Warrenville, and they agreed to make this improvement, most likely this summer.
This bicycle detection project creates a sorely-needed precedent that can be pointed to elsewhere in Illinois. Let us know about the “weak links” in your bicycle trips so we can work together to make biking better in Illinois.
As Lauri, our Mack road reporter says: “It is wonderful to know there is a place where I can report issues and be heard by an effective advocate. Now instead of just whining about things, I can report my concerns and feel that I am making a positive difference in the quality of the cycling environment in my neighborhood.”
